18 replies to this topic

[Sir Kalthorine]

As much as I already have a fully formed idea of the backstory and what I want from the Chrysta mod, it has been so long since I was last active in the modding community that I would be kidding myself if I thought that my technical skills were up to the task of coding this mod on my own.

Equally, while I regard myself as a decent writer with a lot of imagination, I am not so arrogant as to think that my way of writing dialogue is better than everyone else's, or that I have all the good ideas. There are numerous Bioware NPCs that I am not that familiar with, and having experienced the skill with which banter has been done in mods like Keto, Kelsey and Saerileth I am anxious to make inter-NPC banter as "Biowarian" as possible. So a small team of creatively-minded writing/story advisors with experience in mod dialogue and NPC banter would be invaluable.

So, with this in mind I am looking for a small team of advisors/helpers/modders to hold my hand at least through the first stages of getting Chrysta up and running. In particular, as regards the technical aspects I am looking for people with experience in:

- Using WEIDU (it was only in its infancy when I was last a member of the BG community... yeah I'm THAT old!)
- Area conversions (one or two Planescape and Icewind Dale areas I have my eye on...)
- Scripting
- Writing/implementing new kits/spells/items/creatures

Feel free to volunteer via this thread, but if you prefer to inform me of your interest via PM that is OK as well. It would be useful to have some details of the kind of experience you have had in modding beforehand. I will get back to you if you are invited to join the team, otherwise thanks in advance for showing interest and please, please feel welcome to contribute any and all ideas/criticisms that you have whether or not you make the modding team.

I apologise in advance for those who offer their services but who don't make the working team. I predict that a small but organised team will make much better headway than a too-large team of enthusiastic individuals, and I would hate for anyone to feel marginalised and ignored because they felt their views are not being adequately listened to. Please bear in mind that even if you don't make the "team" I will always listen to suggestions made on this forum or via PM, and full credit will be given to everyone whose ideas make it into the final mod in some form.

IMPORTANT - READ THIS BEFORE VOLUNTEERING: Anyone who does volunteer needs to be fully aware that I will have full editorial and managerial control over the mod. While I will listen to and take on board any and all ideas, suggestions and/or criticisms (and give full credit to all for it), I retain the right to have a final say on everything that goes into the mod - including editing, cutting or modifying dialogue or code provided by team members without necessarily asking permission and as I see fit. Any and all material provided for the Chrysta mod will therefore be the property of the mod as a whole, and cannot be "withdrawn" at a later date if anyone throws a hissy fit! I am sure things will never get that far, as hopefully people know me well enough to realise that I am a pretty cool and laid back dude and not prone to emotional or irrational behaviour (bibble). I just want to be sure that everyone understands before volunteering that, however much I appreciate help and will give loud and fulsome praise and credit to all contributors, in the end this is my baby and I reserve the right to make all decisions regarding its code and content. There... I think that is clear enough!

Also bear in mind that as much as I enjoy BG2 and am excited by the prospect of producing this mod, there will be times when demands of real-life mean I am not as active as I would like to be. So please do not volunteer your services if you expect instant replies and action from me concerning mod issues - I only really have a couple of weekday evenings and most Sundays on which to pay decent attention to Chrysta, hence my expectation that a Beta release will not be available until the end of the calendar year.

Edited by Sir Kalthorine, 15 September 2005 - 12:30 AM.

[Zyraen]

I'm interested, though my time is limited I'm quite available via PM, especially on PPG forums I don't know if this is the same idea that I came across on another forum (I think was PPG), but it appeals to me nonetheless.

Generally though, I'm not good for dialogues, unless
a) I get the inspiration
B) you don't mind long banters
c) need time to write it all out

The reason for BTL taking so long with dialogues is due to the (a) and © factors, lol.

I'm also establishing a "Modding" code to convert dialogue into easily codeable format (that I"m using on my private forum on A Dying NPC idea), that should help a lot and make it very easy to create the dialogues you require of me Yeah that's about it.

[Erephine]

Things I can help with:

- Dialogue/Writing
- Inventory-, Item images / Description images / Portraits / Maps / Interface images
- Basic modding
- Plot development
- Balancing
- QA

My time is limited however, so I doubt I'd be all that active; and other than that, I'm completely clueless when it comes to WeiDU and scripting.

However, I'd be willing to help if you need anything.

[Andyr]

What do you need a new kit for?

[Sir Kalthorine]

What do you need a new kit for?

An invisible Kit for Chrysta to build access to druidic abilities on top of a basic thief/assassin, and to control access to other things like High Level Abilities.

I know that Kits can be "simulated" by using scripting, but I am none-too-hot on how to go about doing that. My opinion may change as I get better at this modding business, but for now I know how to "ADD_KIT" using WeiDU so I am going down that route for the time being

[Andyr]

Oh, right.

If you're wanting the PC to have a choice for her druidic abilities then I'd suggest adding them via scripting would be easiest. But if you want different HLAs and stuff then yeah, a kit would be better.

[Seifer]

I can deal with that and I'll also stake out my name for the creative.

[Sir Kalthorine]

If you're wanting the PC to have a choice for her druidic abilities then I'd suggest adding them via scripting would be easiest. But if you want different HLAs and stuff then yeah, a kit would be better.

I forsee that the final incarnation of Chrysta will include some scripting, as I do want to eventually give the player some choice as to what abilities Chrysta gains as she levels up... after all, one of the main features of the mod is hopefully going to be the PC's influence on Chrysta's development.

I can deal with that and I'll also stake out my name for the creative.

Excellent! :thumb:

[Sir Kalthorine]

I'm interested, though my time is limited I'm quite available via PM, especially on PPG forums I don't know if this is the same idea that I came across on another forum (I think was PPG), but it appeals to me nonetheless.

If you remember seeing the idea somewhere else, it might have been here, since I first mooted the idea and made an abortive attempt at starting it over two years ago

And don't worry about having limited time, as I can't commit to Chrysta full time either - just a couple of evenings a week and most Sundays. Work on Chrysta will be slow but steady, methinks.

I'm also establishing a "Modding" code to convert dialogue into easily codeable format (that I"m using on my private forum on A Dying NPC idea), that should help a lot and make it very easy to create the dialogues you require of me Yeah that's about it.

That sounds like one useful little tool you have in development there, Zyraen.

Glad to have you aboard

[Sir Kalthorine]

Things I can help with:

- Dialogue/Writing
- Inventory-, Item images / Description images / Portraits / Maps / Interface images
- Basic modding
- Plot development
- Balancing
- QA

My time is limited however, so I doubt I'd be all that active; and other than that, I'm completely clueless when it comes to WeiDU and scripting.

However, I'd be willing to help if you need anything.

Thanks a bunch Lightspeed, very nice of you to offer your time - particularly if it is so limited

Having someone with some skill in artwork/portraits etc. is always useful, so its good to have you on board.

Cheers bud! :thumb:

[Seifer]

Thats two members of SOS you have now btw

[Togashi Renshi]

I'm a bit of a writer, so I can help with dialogues and plot structure, if you still need it.

[Sir Kalthorine]

I'm a bit of a  writer, so I can help with dialogues and plot structure, if you still need it.

We are probably OK for dialogue writers, Togashi, but thank you for your kind offer. I assure you that there will still be plenty of opportunity for creative input and suggestions from everyone as Chrysta progresses.

[Togashi Renshi]

Oh, darn. Oh well B)

[Zyraen]

Off the side note, what would it take to be part of your team? just wondering what criteria you seek before you let someone into your workroom.

[Sir Kalthorine]

Off the side note, what would it take to be part of your team?

"Unmarked bills", "non-sequential serial numbers" and "low denomination notes" are three simultaneous criteria that immediately spring to mind

Edited by Sir Kalthorine, 01 April 2005 - 03:21 PM.

[SimDing0]

You seem to know all the right things to do...

[Lord Ernie]

If you need some additional help, Sir K, I think I'm up for it. I'm still learning most Weidu stuff on the go (I'm fooling around with an NPC of my own at the time), but reading and debugging should be no problem at all.